Jacory Croskey-Merritt enters training camp with a lot more attention on him than a late-round pick usually gets, and one Washington Commanders insider thinks that attention is earned. ESPN’s John Keim is expected to keep a close watch on Croskey-Merritt this week, and the reason is simple: the second-year back has the kind of burst that can force his way into a bigger role.
Keim pointed to Croskey-Merritt’s explosiveness as the trait that could separate him from the rest of Washington’s crowded backfield. “Washington signed veterans Rachaad White and Jerome Ford in free agency, but (Jacory) Croskey-Merritt offers more potential explosiveness as a runner.
As a rookie in 2025, he ranked eighth in percentage of runs gaining 10-plus yards for backs with 150 or more carries. His improvement in the pass game will be key.”
That pass-game growth is the next hurdle. Croskey-Merritt spent the offseason adding bulk and sharpening the parts of his game that need work, especially pass blocking and pass-catching. The Commanders clearly want him to keep developing if he’s going to move from intriguing piece to something more central under David Blough.
Washington’s offseason made that path tougher, but it also clarified the plan. The team added Rachaad White, who brings a dual-threat skill set and a past connection with Jayden Daniels from Arizona State. It also brought in Jerome Ford and used a sixth-round pick on Kaytron Allen, the all-time leading rusher at Penn State, giving the room more size and physicality.
That points to a committee approach, and Washington seems comfortable with that. There isn’t an elite lead back in the mix, but the Commanders believe they can still move the ball effectively by spreading the work around.
Even so, Croskey-Merritt has a chance to become the guy who changes the feel of the group. The No. 245 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft was one of the league’s most surprising rookie stories, topping 800 rushing yards and flashing big-play ability throughout the season. Because eligibility issues at Arizona kept him from having a true final college year, Washington landed him with a seventh-round pick and got a player who arrived with something to prove.
If he can keep the explosion and become more complete in the passing game, Croskey-Merritt could turn those rookie flashes into something much bigger. And if that happens, Washington’s offense has a real chance to look different with Blough running it.
In Other News...
Commanders Lose Trusted Veteran At Worst Possible Time For Camp
A familiar piece of Washingtons special teams picture disappeared just as camp was about to get rolling, with linebacker Nick Bellore retiring after 15 NFL seasons. The Commanders moved him to the reserve/retired list as they made room for cornerback Rasul Douglas, a transaction that underscores how quickly the roster can change at this point in the summer.
Bellore had spent the last two seasons in Washington and carved out a trusted role as one of the teams most reliable special teams players, handling a heavy workload in that phase of the game. His departure leaves the Commanders with a notable hole to address moving forward, and it comes at a time when every practice rep matters even more than usual. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Have A Quiet QB Decision That Could Backfire Behind Jayden Daniels
Jayden Daniels is locked in as Washingtons starter, with Marcus Mariota set as the backup, so the only real quarterback question left in camp is the one at the bottom of the depth chart. Even so, it is a spot worth watching for a team trying to build a stable room around its young franchise passer, because the third quarterback can still matter when injuries, practice reps and weekly preparation start to pile up.
The decision comes down to who can settle into David Bloughs new offensive scheme and keep the ball out of harms way. Washington wants a developmental option it can trust, whether that means carrying him on the roster or trying to sneak him onto the practice squad, and the margin here is thin enough that a few clean practices or one rough stretch could swing the outcome. [Read more 🡒]
Former Commanders Receiver Finds New Home As WR Churn Continues
Chris Moore is back on the move as NFL training camps open, a familiar turn for a veteran receiver who has spent the past several seasons bouncing through the league. After stops with the Texans, Titans, Cardinals and Washington, Moore is now looking for his next opportunity after a brief run with the Commanders, where he was used in a supporting role and gave the offense some depth when injuries and roster turnover were in play.
For Washington, his departure fits the broader churn at receiver this offseason, with the room getting reshaped by additions such as Dyami Brown, Van Jefferson, Treylon Burks and Antonio Williams. Moore was not brought back after his contract expired, and his path back to Baltimore only underscores how quickly the margins can shift for a player trying to hold onto a spot in a crowded position group. [Read more 🡒]